Sample Vault

A minimal starter for running an AI assistant on plain markdown files, from the AI Lab for Accountants Obsidian demo.

What this does

• Gives you a working folder structure for an AI-assisted practice notebook: an inbox (+/), notes, projects, and plain-English skill files.
• Ships the two files that make an AI assistant useful: CLAUDE.md (standing instructions) and me.md (your briefing). Both are [bracketed prompts] you fill in.
• Includes two example skills (meeting notes, weekly review) and a 10-minute markdown tutorial so you can see the whole pattern in one sitting.
• Works with stock Obsidian and any AI that can read files. No plugins, no themes, no software beyond a text editor.

What this does not do

• No client data, CRM, or tax logic ships in this vault. It's structure, not content.
• It doesn't connect to email, calendars, or task apps. Those come later, once the basics feel comfortable.
• It doesn't make the AI autonomous. Every rule in CLAUDE.md keeps you in the approval loop.

Not tax advice

This vault supports documentation and judgment. It does not provide tax advice and does not replace the licensed practitioner's review. Anything touching tax authority should be verified against the current standard. The practitioner reviews, decides, and signs.

Setup (10 minutes)

1. Get the files: clone this repo, or Code → Download ZIP and unzip anywhere.
2. Open in Obsidian: Open folder as vault → pick the folder. Stock Obsidian, no plugins or themes needed.
3. Fill in the two files that matter: CLAUDE.md (the assistant's standing instructions) and me.md (your briefing). Both are full of [bracketed prompts]; answering them IS the setup. Claude can walk you through this if you'd rather, just ask it to go through and help you update these files.
4. Point your AI at the folder: in Claude (Cowork mode), add this folder. It reads CLAUDE.md automatically and takes it from there.

Then try: "Summarize this meeting" + paste your notes, "What's in my inbox?", or "Make me a skill for [something you do weekly]."

What's here

• CLAUDE.md — the assistant's instructions. Read every session.
• me.md — your briefing: who you are, how you think.
• +/ — inbox for quick captures.
• Notes/ — general notes, including the markdown tutorial.
• Projects/ — one note per active project.
• Skills/ — repeatable workflows written in plain English.

Data handling

Everything stays local: the vault is a folder of text files on your machine. Never put client PII in CLAUDE.md or me.md; those load into the AI every session. Keep client data out of any file an AI reads unless you've decided, deliberately, that it should be there and your tooling keeps it local.

License

MIT. See the LICENSE file.